John Cooper of Granite City filed a lawsuit in Madison County Circuit Court seeking damages in excess of $100,000 against State Farm Insurance Company alleging it failed to pay a fire damage claim.

Cooper claims that on July 17, 2003, his home located at 1452 Chouteau Place Road in Granite City caught fire resulting in the destruction of his property.

According to the complaint, Cooper promptly reported the loss of his property, but State Farm has refused to provide compensation as required under the policy.

His insurance premium payments were current before the fire, Cooper states.

"The defendant's refusal to provide compensation constitutes a breach of the insurance policy, in that Cooper promptly reported the loss, and State Farm failed to conduct an investigation and refused to compensate Cooper without giving any explanation of justification," the complaint states.

Cooper claims that more than a year has passed since the claim was submitted. State Farm has a detailed list of damages and destroyed property and has no reasonable cause for its delay or failure to conduct an investigation during the past year, according to the complaint.

State Farm's refusal to pay is vexatious and unreasonable since it has refused to compensate without conducting a proper investigation, Cooper states.

Represented by H. Carl Runge Jr. of Collinsville, Cooper is seeking a judgment in his favor in excess of $100,000 plus all costs and legal fees. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian.